Semiconductor chips are expected to make a huge economic impact – one with geopolitical implications. They're found in popular electronics like smartphones and gaming consoles and also in cars and military weapons. During the pandemic, disruption to global supply chains created an alarming shortage of them in the U.S. To reduce reliance on China's manufacturing, the Biden Administration passed the CHIPS Act. It allocates $52 billion dollars to build up America's semiconductor industry.We discuss the CHIPS Act, and how the money will be used. With all the layoffs in the tech industry, will the investment actually be worth it?Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

the House approved legislation on Wednesday that would institute a labor agreement between rail workers and their employers.Now that control of the House has flipped to the Republicans, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy is asking the House January 6 committee to preserve all its records.Chinese officials are cracking down on protests against the country's zero-COVID policy.And a senior aide to King Charles resigned this week following "unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments" she made to a guest at a reception at Buckingham Palace.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The pandemic has spread healthcare workers thin over the last few years. With staffing shortages and wave after wave of COVID cases, that wear has become increasingly apparent. But burnout is not new to the healthcare field. "For the most part, we don't talk about this stuff, because we were told we're not supposed to," says Dr. Jessica Gold who joins us for the conversation. We talk to doctors about their experiences dealing with mental illness while practicing medicine, and we hear your stories. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

The Indian Child Welfare Act is before the Supreme Court once again, almost a decade after Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl. Earlier this month, the Court heard oral arguments in the case Haaland v. Brackeen, the legal action about who gets precedence when it comes to adopting Native children. We discuss what the Indian Child Welfare Act does and if struck down, what it could mean for tribal law and Native Americans.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

It's been 25 years since the release of The Spice Girls' second album, "Spiceworld." The record, released on November 1, 1997, went five times platinum. The group that popularized the phrase "Girl Power," the Spice Girls are the best-selling girl group of all time. But before the Spice Girls, there were many others. From The Andrew Sisters to The Supremes, we can trace the evolution of the girl group throughout music's history. In this episode the 1A Record Club takes a look at the influence of "Spiceworld" and the cultural phenomenon of girl groups. Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.